I like to keep books I have loved, both so I can lend them to friends and to enjoy them again and again. Needless to say, I continue to buy bookshelves and fill them. And now I'm even filling up bookshelves online! Want to know what I'm reading right now? Check out my Shelfari bookshelf below.

For pleasure and escape, I enjoy fiction. For a big-time get-away, mysteries are the best! I enjoy Tony Hillerman’s Navajo settings, and Elizabeth George’s complex plots. After that, I love character-driven stories, whether historical or contemporary. Then there are some novels that are just plain fun to read, like Alexander McCall Smith’s #1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

Here are some of my all-time favorite novels. It was hard not to overload this list! If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear your opinion. Is it a favorite, or not?

And Ladies of the Club, by Helen Santmyer. The story is set immediately post-Civil War. I’ve returned to it again and again to revel in the period details.

The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay. A wonderful coming-of-age story. Just possibly the best book I’ve ever read.

The Sky Fisherman, by Craig Lesley. Another wonderful coming-of-age book, this one set in eastern Oregon, an area very familiar to me. Being able to picture the setting added much to my enjoyment of the story.

TheGuernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. This story was a delight to read, and brought home to me the deprivations suffered by the residents of the Channel Islands during World War II. It is a tie between this one and . . .

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, as to which was the best book I read last year. This heartwarming story is told from a dog’s point of view, and I completely fell in love with Enzo, the protagonist.

Bonnie Leon has written a number of compelling series. She has set her stories in locations as varied as Russia, Australia, and Alaska. Each book leaves the reader with a strong sense of place, as well as the satisfaction of a story excellently told.

Sometimes compelling nonfiction serves to open the door to adventures I’ve only dreamed about. Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air is a good example. I’ve read it twice, and will probably read it again. He takes the reader along on a breathtaking and ultimately tragic climb to the top of Mt. Everest.

Another wonderful nonfiction author I’ve enjoyed is Stephen Ambrose. His Undaunted Courage spins the story of Lewis and Clark almost like a novel.

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand is an unforgettable story about one man's courage during World War II. Not to be missed!

And how about Marley and Me, by John Grogan? If you’ve ever loved a dog, and I’m in that category, you have to read that book. I laughed until tears ran down my face.

Check my blog for my newest faves. When I read a good book, it’s always near the top of the list for a while.

BOOKS FOR WRITERS:

No author’s list would be complete without recommendations of books to read if you are someone who wants to launch into a writer’s journey yourself. Those I’ve referred to most often are: